Harlow Liberal Democrats have expressed their disappointment that Conservative-run Essex County Council's decision to close Brays Grove School has finally been confirmed.

Essex's Schools Organisation Committee voted in favour of closing the school. Local Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Chris Millington, who represents the ward in which the school is located, said:

"This is a deep disappointment for the school, for local residents, and for the community of Harlow as a whole. It's a sorry day which will do great damage to the educational prospects of our town, and impair our ability to achieve the regeneration Harlow needs."

Cllr Lorna Spenceley, who attended the pre-meeting of the Schools Organisation Committee on 12 July and addressed the Committee, added:

"The accuracy of the predictions of future pupil numbers used by the county council has been challenged. At a time when even more housing is being forced within Harlow's boundaries and to the south and east of the town, it flies in the face of reason to close the only school in the south east of Harlow. This decision will reduce parent and pupil choice, put pressure on the other secondary schools in the town, and disrupt working partnerships that have taken years to build."